Definition of inkling

The word "inking" originated from the Old English word "hencan," which means "shadow" or "inkling." The word "hencan" evolved over time and appeared in Middle English as "henkelen" or "hencken," which still preserved its original meaning of "shadow" or "hint." In the 17th century, the term "inking" began to appear more frequently, particularly in literary contexts. It was used to describe the early stages of an idea or inspiration, which often appeared like a shadow or hint, much like the meaning of its Old English root. In the late 19th century, "inking" became more commonly used to refer to the process of dipping a pen into ink, particularly with the rise of mass-produced fountain pens. However, the original literary meaning of "inking" as a hint or indication of an idea continued to be used alongside this more practical usage. In modern usage, "inking" is less commonly used in literary contexts and tends to be more associated with the practical sense of filling a pen with ink. However, the original meaning of an early indication or hint of an idea can still be detected in its use in phrases like "an inking of an idea" or "cautious inklings."